Will CPU/PSU work for GPU?

[lordz23]

Hey everybody,

So it seems it is time to upgrade my computer and I am currently at around a $400 budget. Right now my specs are

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
PSU: Azza Alpha 500W Model#PSAZ-500C12 http://azzatek.com/psaz-500c12.html
Motherboard: Asus M4N68T-M-V2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131669

So, this is a pretty old build, and I was curious on what I should purchase. I was eyeing either a GTX 480, GTX 660Ti, or r7870. I think the ram is still fine, but is the processor/mobo too old? Will it bottleneck my gpu if I get those 3 cards.

And if I need a new CPU what can I get that won't bottleneck it, is there a site for benchmark results? I'm not sure what to look for.

In addition, I am unsure if my PSU will be able to provide the power for these cards. I noticed the 450w minimum for the 660ti, but for the GTX 480 it is definitely not enough. The PSU is +12v1@17A and +12v1@17A. I am not sure what that means so can somebody please help me decipher it and explain it to me. This card was a temporary PSU that I bought about a year ago after my old one died.

The cards I am currently eyeing are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130812
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130809
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130759
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150604

What is the difference between a 3GB 660Ti vs a 2GB 660Ti.


If you need anymore information please feel free to ask. I am hoping to buy it these few days, so if I can get an answer quick it would be greatly appreciated.!

Thank you in advance,

ajCee

EDIT: I am also trying to run dual monitors one 1600x900 and one 1400x900.

 

[Sunius]

You'll need a new power supply unit regardless of the card you choose. How does that change your budget? I'd estimate around $60 for the power supply unit.

 

[lordz23]

You'll need a new power supply unit regardless of the card you choose. How does that change your budget? I'd estimate around $60 for the power supply unit.

Yeah I figured as much, is it possible you can explain why? It is a 500W PSU and min req is 450W, sorry I just recently started looking into the small details.

Well budget will still be the same around $400, I would say. What about a Seasonic 620W,

My friend can sell me this brand new http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096 for $50.

 

[Sunius]

It's because it's a very old and bad quality power supply. It probably cannot deliver what it promisses on the label. Also, it doesn't have enough connectors for either card. Check this article:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

That power supply your friend can sell you is excellent. You should definitely get it for that price.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Yeah, go for it. Seasonic is very good.

 

[lordz23]

Alright great figured as much.

So other than the PSU, would the Mobo/CPU work for the GPUs? Would it bottleneck the results?

 

[Sunius]

It's might bottleneck slightly, but nothing a small overclock cannot fix .

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Not sure if this means you should stay away from AMD, quote ;

Pros: Cheap

Cons: Doesn't meet PCI-E 2.0 spec. Doesn't provide enough power to the video card to power a Radeon 6850 (this card works in other machines and my old card, a 8800 GT, works fine in this board).


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-131-669&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=7#scrollFullInfo

 

[lordz23]

Alright thanks a lot everybody, but just now I found out that the 7950 is the same price as the 660Ti, and from what everyone is saying it seems I will end up getting the 7950, will there be any bottle necking from my CPU to my GPU?

As of right now, I have it Overclocked to 3.12ghz but it is currently running stock cooling. I just bought a new 212+ so once I get that I should be able to overclock it a lot higher no?

I wouldn't have to buy a new cpu/mobo right, the x4 635 should be fine,

and if so, how high do you think I should try to get my cpu overclocked? 3.5?

The 7950 I bought is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102991

If these actually work and I don't have to buy any new cpu/mobo, then it should be well under my $400 budget.

 

[obsama1]

CPU will bottleneck due to no L3. Get a Phenom II x4 965.

 

[lordz23]

CPU will bottleneck due to no L3. Get a Phenom II x4 965.

how much performance would it bottleneck?

 

[obsama1]

Not a lot, but it's not a tiny bottleneck either. A 7950/660Ti needs a better CPU.

 

[lordz23]

Not a lot, but it's not a tiny bottleneck either. A 7950/660Ti needs a better CPU.

alright, but guessing overclocking wouldn't help alot then? or just lessen the bottleneck

 

[obsama1]

It would lessen it, but it would still be a bottleneck. You could use it until you feel that it's not enough and you want a different CPU.

 

[lordz23]

It would lessen it, but it would still be a bottleneck. You could use it until you feel that it's not enough and you want a different CPU.

Yeah that'll probably be what I do, since it'll still be a huge upgrade from my 4870. Thanks, bottlenecking doesn't harm anything right?

 

[obsama1]

Performance goes down. But the Athlon should suffice.

 

[lordz23]

Best answer selected by lordz23.